MID-YEAR MILESTONES AT MOTIONLAB.BERLIN
CELEBRATING MOTIONLAB.BERLIN, SUCCESS & INNOVATION
Reflecting on a dynamic first half-year in 2024, let us look back on the numerous highlights and achieved milestones at MotionLab.Berlin. From community events to becoming Berlin's new Deep Tech Hub, from Berlin to Tokyo, from innovation bootcamps to strategic partnerships, it's been an eventful journey and there's much to celebrate.
Reflecting on a dynamic first half-year in 2024, let us look back on the numerous highlights and achieved milestones at our Hardtech Innovation Hub and Ecosystem at MotionLab.Berlin.
July marks the start of a new half-year, bringing us to the midpoint of 2024. It would hardly be an exaggeration to say this period has been very eventful for both our team and the MotionLab.Berlin innovation community—we’ve even been on TV (find us at 2:20)! Now, as we are well into Q3, it seems like the perfect time to reflect on and celebrate the highlights, achievements and innovation we’ve had at MotionLab.Berlin over the past six months.
BUILDING A PURPOSE-DRIVEN ECOSYSTEM
In early 2024, we launched NetworkinMotion, a series of exclusive events aimed at fostering meaningful connections across deep tech, hardtech and related industries. This initiative aligns with our goal of building a supportive, purpose-driven ecosystem that helps climate-driven startups develop pioneering solutions for a greener future.
Our inaugural January event transformed the Alt-Treptow campus into an elegant candle-lit dinner venue, gathering over 60 key network partners to discuss strategies for hardtech startup success and experience cutting-edge innovation and solutions firsthand. A springtime Partner Brunch further explored the role of strategic partnerships in international expansion and positive change within the hardtech sector. As summer in Berlin is underway, we’re gearing up for the next NetworkinMotion event in September, featuring a special twist—stay tuned!
MOTIONLAB.BERLIN BECOMES BERLIN’S DEEP TECH HUB
May marked the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for our team and everyone in our ecosystem. Franziska Giffey, the Berlin Senator for Economy, Energy, and Enterprise, along with Sebastian Holtgrewe and Dr. Stefan Franzke from Berlin Partner, and René Giese from MotionLab.Berlin, signed a joint strategic initiative to establish a new Deep Tech Hub at MotionLab.Berlin.
Shortly after the signing, René, having just embarked on his new role as a Director of Corporate Partnerships, and his team introduced another exciting development: a new Ecosystem Membership for medium-sized companies and corporates seeking support on their path to greater innovation in deep- and climate tech. Venture Lab Niterra and Lemberg Solutions have already joined us as our first ecosystem partners.
“We realized that MotionLab.Berlin was ready to extend its support to SMEs and corporates when we saw the growth and success of our innovation ecosystem, the increasing demand for collaboration from larger entities, and our ability to provide comprehensive resources, mentorship, and infrastructure to effectively support their unique needs,” shared René.
OUT AND ABOUT WITH THE MOTIONLAB.BERLIN TEAM
Over the last six months, our team has attended numerous external events and traveled extensively to expand our ecosystem. From Embedded World in Nürnberg (where we went with the startups from the Hardtech Innovation Accelerator) to London, Tokyo, and Seoul, we’ve been working tirelessly to build the global hardware network that links innovators and amplifies their impact.
With the launch of the Ecosystem Membership, we can now offer our partners the opportunity to join these delegation trips, explore the latest technological trends worldwide, and connect with individuals and organizations working at the intersection of deep tech and climate tech. Find out more about this opportunity here.
EMPOWERING STARTUPS WITH EXPERTS & SUPPORT
At MotionLab.Berlin, a crucial part of our work involves providing expert guidance on building and succeeding with an early-stage hardtech startup. One of the ways we achieve this is by hosting thematic bootcamps with industry experts from our community and extended innovation network.
This year, we’ve hosted two bootcamps so far: In January, we held a two-week Strategic Funding Bootcamp, covering topics such as angel investment, startup grants, strategic fundraising, and valuation. In April, our focus shifted to hardware product development, guiding participants from initial concept to a tangible, market-ready MVP.
Of course, there will be more to come, so make sure to follow us on Eventbrite and get in touch in case there is a specific topic you would like us to address in the next bootcamp.
UPGRADING OUR MAKERSPACE FOR SUCCESSFUL PROTOTYPING
As our community grows and takes on more complex projects, we are also enhancing our makerspaces to help members build their products efficiently and explore their creativity fully. For instance, our new Handtool Lab which we opened in April offers ample space and a wide range of high-quality tools for tinkering, creating, and building innovations.
Recently, we’ve reached two more significant milestones, thanks to the generous support of our partners: a new partnership with Prusa 3D has led to the creation of the Prusa 3D Hub, a new community-focused 3D printing lab featuring advanced Prusa printers, workshops, and discounts. Additionally, our collaboration with Würth Elektronik allowed us to overhaul our Electronics Lab, offering essential resources for electronic prototyping to our community. Stay tuned for more updates on our makerspace and explore our innovation labs and equipment here.
HARDTECH INNOVATION ACCELERATOR GRADUATION
In May, we celebrated the end of the Hardtech Innovation Accelerator, our flagship seven-month program designed to support early-stage hardware startups that share our vision of making a positive impact on industries and communities by contributing to achieving net zero emission by 2050. The eight forward-thinking climate tech startups in the program’s batch 3 progressed from a mere idea to a validated mid-fidelity prototype on the road to enter the market, acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills to pitch their product with conviction and passion.
The program concluded with Demo Day—the biggest annual celebration at MotionLab.Berlin—bringing together all the participants once again. Each startup showcased unique solutions to revolutionize sustainability through technology, pitching in front of an expert jury for the prize of €10,000. A round of applause to every startup that took the stage: VoltVogel, NanoMatter, Redivivum, MAD, SPAIA, Luft, OTO Mobility, and Hoop Solar who won the prize.
Revisit the day’s highlights in our aftermovie, and register your interest if you want to be part of the next batch of our Hardtech Innovation Accelerator.
INNOVATION COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
In March, we launched a new event networking format for everyone seeking to expand their network in the hardtech community in a laid-back atmosphere of late breakfast. Now happening every Wednesday, our ‘BreakfastinMotion’ provides the perfect opportunity for the community to gather over coffee and a bite to eat while listening to short pitches from fellow members or friends from our extended network.
We’ve also welcomed several new startups to the MotionLab.Berlin community, including MakerVerse, AIRMO, SmartFrame Technologies, VoltVogel, one of the recent batch 3 Hardtech Innovation Accelerator alumni. All have moved into private office and MakerGarage spaces in our Alt-Treptow campus and are actively participating in daily life at MotionLab.Berlin. We still have some spaces available, so if you’re looking for a new home and a supportive community for your startup or project, get in touch with our Community Manager, Melinda.
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE REST OF 2024
As we reflect on the first half of 2024, we’re eager to see what the rest of the year will bring. We’re grateful for the support from our members, partners, experts, and broader ecosystem, which has inspired us to move forward. Here’s to continued growth and collaboration as we work on innovation that helps to achieve a greener future together!
